Playboy Bunnies Parade, 60th Anniversary, Los Angeles, California, United States

According to Hugh Hefner, the Bunny was inspired by Bunny's Tavern in Urbana, Illinois.
Bunny's Tavern was named for its original owner, Bernard "Bunny" Fitzsimmons, who opened for business in 1936. Serving daily food specials for a mere thirty-five cents, as well as ten-cent draft beers, Bunny's catered to locals and University of Illinois students alike. One of those students (in the late 1940s) was Hugh Hefner.
Hefner formally acknowledged the origin of the Playboy Bunny in a letter to Bunny's Tavern, which is now framed and on public display in the bar.
The Bunny's Tavern usage of the outfit, is considered a variant of Showgirl.